Company:Defy Appliances

From HandWiki
Defy Appliances
IndustryManufacturing and service
Founded1905
Headquarters
Durban
,
South Africa
Key people
Ross Heron (CEO Retired) Current CEO: Evren Albaş
ProductsHome and major appliances
R2,5 billion (2010)
Number of employees
2,600
ParentArçelik Group
Websitewww.defy.co.za

Defy Appliances is a South African white goods manufacturing company and is the largest manufacturer and distributor of major domestic appliances in southern Africa.[1] The company manufactures and develops a range of large appliances from gas stoves, refrigerators, washing machines and tumble dryers to continuous clean ovens and convection ovens.

It currently operates three factories:

  • Jacobs (Durban) - manufactures free-standing stoves, built-in ovens and hobs, tumble dryers .
  • Ezakheni (Ladysmith) - manufactures electric chest freezers and electric refrigerators.
  • East London - manufactures electric refrigerators.

Defy Appliances was founded in the 1905[2] in Wentworth, KwaZulu-Natal by John Skinner and Sir Benjamin Greenacre. The company manufactured its first product, electric stoves, in 1932.[1] In July 2011 the company was bought by Turkish based Arçelik for US$324-million as part of its plan to expand into emerging markets in Africa.[3]

References